Celtic back to form after blip

Celtic’s unbeaten domestic run of 69 games ended this month when they were beaten 4-0 by Hearts at Tynecastle. Since then Brendan Rodgers’ side have taken nine points from nine without losing a goal. An impressive 2-0 win over Dundee at Dens Park on Boxing Day confirmed there have been no ill-effects from the Gorgie defeat. The Hoops look to be back to their best which signals bad news for Light Blues.

What are the chances of a Rangers win?

Rangers’ last victory in 90 minutes against Celtic was in March, 2012, when a 3-2 win prevented the Hoops clinching the title at Ibrox. The Govan side’s William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final victory over their city rivals in April 2016 at Hampden Park came through a penalty shoot-out. In the seven Old Firm games since, Celtic have won six. In March, when Graeme Murty was caretaker boss for the first time, the Gers scrambled a 1-1 win at Celtic Park. Once again Celtic are heavy favourites to win and Rangers would gladly take a point.

Ryan Jack a doubt for Rangers

Graeme Murty won't rule Ryan Jack out of Saturday's Old Firm just yet.

Gers midfielder Ryan Jack is a major doubt. The former Aberdeen skipper suffered a painful knee injury after being tackled by Motherwell defender Cedric Kipre in the first-half of Wednesday night’s 2-0 win. If Jack fails to make it, it would be a huge blow to Rangers’ chances of taking even a point. The Ibrox side are already without Graham Dorrans (ankle), Lee Wallace (groin) and Kenny Miller (hamstring). Midfielder Josh Windass returns through suspension which is a boost but the absence of Jack would make a difficult job even harder for Rangers.

Who will lead the line for Celtic?

Leigh Griffiths will be hoping to lead the line for Celtic (Ian Rutherford/PA)

Brendan Rodgers has been spelling main strikers Leigh Griffiths, Moussa Dembele and Odsonne Edouard in recent weeks, due to the Hoops’ intensive fixture list. Griffiths started and scored in the 2-0 win over Dundee last time out and appeared to tell Celtic fans after his goal that he was the man. Whether Rodgers believes that to be the case for the visit of the Light Blues, remains to be seen. But it is a selection problem that Murty can only dream of having.

Referee spotlight

Bobby Madden will take charge at Celtic Park on Saturday. The official’s Old Firm debut was in the 1-1 draw in March and it ended in some controversy. Madden came in for criticism after ignoring a late Celtic penalty claim when striker Griffiths was tackled by Rangers scorer Clint Hill inside the Gers penalty area. As ever, there is no hiding place in an Old Firm game and the referee will come under intense scrutiny again.